CO129-590-25 Accounts of events leading up to surrender and subsequent treatment of prisoners- etc 23-4-1942 - 28-9-1943 — Page 150

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overturning them with wash, Lewis-gunning them and completely dispersing the daylight landing attempt. 07 and 09 were much fired on by enemy guns, machine guns, and planes. 07 attacked twice having lost one engine, then lost another, and then 09 on way back took her in tow. 07 had dropped 2 depth charges but depth was insufficient to explode them. Detailed reports by the Commanding Officers of 07 and 09 are forwarded and the following are my recommendations for this mo t successful and creditable action, which earned a special signal 1435/19 from Commodore quoted later. Casualties in 07 were:

X875 Killed

Ldg. Stoker R. Barker Telegraphist T. G. Duckworth 1/JX202851 Killed.

There were no casualties in :09,

I consider these boats were

handled with great efficiency in large measure due to the farseeing keenness of Commanding Officers, Coxwains and Crews; the rapid patching up for service of 07 after this action being also most commendable.

MTB.07: Commanding Officer Lieutenant Ronald Robert Willson Ashby,

Hongkong, R. N. V. R. Age 31.

I recommend for a decoration for coolness and efficiency in leading his subdivision during this daylight attack on Japanese landing craft and for bringing his boat though damaged back to base. Apart from this, I strongly recommend him for promotion to Lieutenant Commander, Imperial R. N. V. R. for his general efficiency and reliability in this MTB Flotilla. (As a Lieutenant only his powers are not being used to fullest capacity and he should continue in more modern MTB's. )

Telegraphist. T. G. Duckworth, P/J 202851. Killed. I recommend for a posthumous decoration ›for his excellent and willing work in the Flotilla in addition to his telegraphist and visual signal duties: and on this occasion for the promptitude with which when ordered he left his position of comparative safety to proceed under heavy fire to render assistance in the engine room where he and the Leading Stoker were killed.

Coxswain. Petty Officer John W. Prest P/JX 128474. I recommend for accelerated promotion to Chief 1.0. and also mention in dispatches for efficiency and coolness in this attack.

Acle Seaman, Albert E. Rutter D/JX 134658 I recommend for reinstatement to Leading Seaman in January 1942 6 months after disrating in June 1941 and thereafter to be noted for

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accelerated promotion for his efficiency at Lewis gun and ability to assist the Commanding Officer in general charge of the situation during this attack.

Acting Stoker Petty Officer S.J. Hide P/KX 82873 I recommend for mention in dispatches and for accelerated promotion for his ability to take charge and make the best of the situation when two engines were hit and the Leading Stoker killed.

MTB 09: Commanding Officer Lieutenant Alexander Kennedy R. N. V. R. I recommend for a decoration for excellent work under fire in breaking up this Japanese landing craft attack and for efficiency in successfully taking his damaged subdivisional leader in tow in face of enemy plane attack.

/The Coxswain.

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